SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “cloud”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1985

Cirrus clouds. I - A cirrus cloud model. II - Numerical experiments on the formation and maintenance of cirrus

A simplified cirrus cloud model is presented which may be used to investigate the role of various physical processes in the life cycle of a cirrus cloud. The model is a two-dimensional, time-dependent, Eulerian numerical model where the focus is on cloud-scale processes. Parametrizations are developed to account for phase changes of water, radiative processes, and the effects of microphysical structure on the vertical flux of ice water. The results of a simulation of a thin cirrostratus cloud are given. The results of numerical experiments performed with the model are described in order to demonstrate the important role of cloud-scale processes in determining the cloud properties maintained in response to larger scale forcing. The effects of microphysical composition and radiative processes are considered, as well as their interaction with thermodynamic and dynamic processes within the cloud. It is shown that cirrus clouds operate in an entirely different manner than liquid phase stratiform clouds.

Starr, D. OC.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Lower mass limit of an evolving interstellar cloud and chemistry in an evolving oscillatory cloud

Simultaneous solution of the equation of motion, equation of state and energy equation including heating and cooling processes for interstellar medium gives for a collapsing cloud a lower mass limit which is significantly smaller than the Jeans mass for the same initial density. The clouds with higher mass than this limiting mass collapse whereas clouds with smaller than critical mass pass through a maximum central density giving apparently similar clouds (i.e., same Av, size and central density) at two different phases of its evolution (i.e., with different life time). Preliminary results of chemistry in such an evolving oscillatory cloud show significant difference in abundances of some of the molecules in two physically similar clouds with different life times. The problems of depletion and short life time of evolving clouds appear to be less severe in such an oscillatory cloud.

Tarafdar, S. P.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Molecular clouds and cloud cores in the inner Galaxy

A compilation of CO emission regions and their measured parameters is presented which represents a nearly complete accounting of the molecular clouds in the first quadrant of the Galaxy. Emission regions associated with radio H II regions have systematically brighter CO peaks that are a factor of two to three times larger and have twice the mean velocity dispersion as the general cloud population. Both the H II region clouds and the hot core regions have a Galactic distribution characteristic of a spiral arm population, whereas the colder clouds are much less confined in Galactic azimuthal angle. Virial masses are obtained for the large sample of clouds with assigned kinematic distances. The mean H2 density for a GMC of diameter 40 pc is 180/cm. For these clouds, a linear relationship is found between the H2 column density and the integrated CO emission. The variation in the Z-dispersion of clouds as a function of cloud mass suggests that more massive GMCs have smaller random velocities.

Scoville, N. Z.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Study of Ardmore, Oklahoma storm clouds. I - Convective storm cloud initiation and development based on the remote sensing gravity-wave-induced convection. II - Satellite infrared remote sensing and numerical simulation

The role of gravity waves is discussed with respect to the vertical velocity of convection. Specific attention is given to wave-induced convection which contributes to the fractions of formation and the development of severe convective storms. Large-amplitude gravity waves and convective instability were investigated in storm clouds above Ardmore, Oklahoma. Rapid-scan satellite imagery and radar summaries provide evidence of water-vapor condensation related to convection which is introduced by gravity waves. Gravity wave periods of 35 minutes are found to initiate weak convection, which can be intensified by gravity waves with periods of 20 minutes. The convective motion reaches a maximum about one hour before funnel clouds develop. Other mechanisms which contribute to convective motion are considered, but gravity waves are the major contributor to the initiation, formation, and development of mesoscale storm clouds. Cloud modeling based on satellite imagery and sounding data showed that by overshooting cloud tops that penetrated the tropopause, storm clouds mature; that these clouds collapse about 9 minutes before the touchdown of tornadoes; and that cloud tops collapse at a high rate about 6 minutes before tornadoes lift off.

Hung, R. J.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Stratocumulus cloud field reflected fluxes - The effect of cloud shape

The reflected fluxes of stratocumulus cloud fields are calculated as a function of sky cover aspect ratio and cloud shape. In order to obtain a better fit with general circulation models (GCMs), cloud liquid water volume values were kept invariant relative to cloud shape. On the basis of the required accuracy of the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE), an order of magnitude value of 10 W per sq m was used to estimate the difference between plane-parallel and broken cloudiness reflected fluxes. An empirical relationship for effective cloud cover at a solar zenith angle of 60 deg is derived. The relationship allows for the accurate computation of broken cloud field reflected fluxes using plane-parallel calculations. It is predicted that more accurate estimates of broken cloud field radiative properties may be possible in the future.

Welch, R. M.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Cloud fraction and cloud size distributions derived using Landsat Multispectral Scanner data

Initial results are presented on the spatial structure of cumulus cloud fields derived using Landsat digital data. Techniques to determine clear, overcast, and cloud edge pixels are discussed and used to analyze four Landsat scenes. Cloud number densities, cloud cover, cloud aspect ratio, and the ratio of interior to cloud edge pixels are obtained for the four scenes and are discussed. This new application of Landsat digital data should prove useful in developing and testing models of the radiative and dynamical properties of cumulus cloud fields on GCM spatial scales.

Wielicki, B. A.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Cloud field reflectance variations traceable to finite cloud effects

Variations in cloud field reflectances resulting from the organization of clouds within a cloud field are examined using a cloud field optical simulator. The problem of changing spot size is studied as a function of view angle for a fixed field of view detector. Also, problems associated with the assumption of isotropy are discussed and the effect of cloud interactions within cloud fields is investigated. The results show that radiance variation increases when the photodiodes measure radiances from portions of cloud fields which move in and out of the fields of view as the position of the photodiode changes. In addition, the experiments reveal several factors that are important in the determination of accurate reflectances.

Alberta, Timothy L.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Clustered or regular cumulus cloud fields - The statistical character of observed and simulated cloud fields

The spatial distribution of cumulus clouds is assumed to be the result of the effects of convective activity on the thermodynamic environment. The effects can be parameterized in terms of a stabilization function representing the time rate of change of convective available potential energy. Using these results, a new inhibition hypothesis explaining the expected characteristics of the spatial distribution of cumulus clouds is postulated. This paper performs a verification of the inhibition hypothesis on real and simulated cloud fields. In order to do so, an objective measure of the spatial characteristics of cumulus clouds is introduced. Multiple cloud experiments are performed with a three-dimensional numerical cloud model. Skylab pictures of real cumuli are also used in the verification. Results of applying this measure to simulated and observed cumulus cloud fields confirm the inhibition hypothesis.

Ramirez, Jorge A.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Global, seasonal cloud variations from satellite radiance measurements. II - Cloud properties and radiative effects

Cloud and surface radiative properties and their effects on the earth and surface radiation budgets are obtained based on global daily visible and IR radiance measurements. The magnitude of cloud property variations and their effects on radiation increase strongly with decreasing space/time scales. Cloud properties are systematically different between land and ocean, with ocean having larger cloud cover with somewhat larger optical thicknesses and lower cloud top altitudes. Although cloud variations appear to be the primary cause of regional radiation budget variability at 5-30 daytime scales, the effects of their seasonal variations at larger spatial scales are less important than the changes associated with changes in solar declination and atmospheric/surface temperatures. The largest seasonal variations in radiation occur in the 30-60 deg latitude band in each hemisphere. Although clouds have a net cooling effect on the global, annual mean radiation balance at both the top of the atmosphere and the surface, their net effect on regional, seasonal balances is much more varied.

Rossow, William B.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Experimental measurements of the ground cloud effluents and cloud growth for the May 20, 1975, Titan 3C launch at Air Force Eastern Test Range, Florida

The experiment included surface level and airborne in situ cloud measurements of the exhaust effluents from the Titan IIIC solid rocket boosters. Simultaneous visible spectrum photographic pictures of the ground cloud as well as infrared imaging of the cloud were obtained to study the cloud rise, growth, and direction of travel within the earth's surface mixing layer. The NASA multilayer diffusion model predictions of cloud growth, direction of travel, and expected surface level effluent concentrations were made prior to launch and after launch using measured meteorological conditions. Prelaunch predictions were used to position the effluent monitoring instruments, and the postlaunch predictions were compared with the measured data. Measurement results showed that surface level effluent values were low, often below the detection limits of the instrumentation. The maximum surface level hydrogen chloride concentration measured 50 parts per billion at about 8 km from the launch pad. The maximum observed in-cloud (airborne measurement) hydrogen chloride concentration was 7 per million.

Gregory, G. L.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Airborne measurements of cloud-forming nuclei and aerosol particles in stabilized ground clouds produced by solid rocket booster firings

Airborne measurements of cloud volumes, ice nuclei and cloud condensation nuclei, liquid particles, and aerosol particles were obtained from stabilized ground clouds (SGCs) produced by Titan 3 launches at Kennedy Space Center, 20 August and 5 September 1977. The SGCs were bright, white, cumulus clouds early in their life and contained up to 3.5 g/m3 of liquid in micron to millimeter size droplets. The measured cloud volumes were 40 to 60 cu km five hours after launch. The SGCs contained high concentrations of cloud condensation nuclei active at 0.2%, 0.5%, and 1.0% supersaturation for periods of three to five hours. The SGCs also contained high concentrations of submicron particles. Three modes existed in the particle population: a 0.05 to 0.1 micron mode composed of aluminum-containing particles, a 0.2 to 0.8 micron mode, and a 2.0 to 10 micron mode composed of particles that contained primarily aluminum.

Hindman, E. E., II↗

NASA NTRS1982

Cloud cover estimation: Use of GOES imagery in development of cloud cover data base for insolation assessment

The potential of using digital satellite data to establish a cloud cover data base for the United States, one that would provide detailed information on the temporal and spatial variability of cloud development are studied. Key elements include: (1) interfacing GOES data from the University of Wisconsin Meteorological Data Facility with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's VICAR image processing system and IBIS geographic information system; (2) creation of a registered multitemporal GOES data base; (3) development of a simple normalization model to compensate for sun angle; (4) creation of a variable size georeference grid that provides detailed cloud information in selected areas and summarized information in other areas; and (5) development of a cloud/shadow model which details the percentage of each grid cell that is cloud and shadow covered, and the percentage of cloud or shadow opacity. In addition, comparison of model calculations of insolation with measured values at selected test sites was accomplished, as well as development of preliminary requirements for a large scale data base of cloud cover statistics.

Huning, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Dust charges, cloud potential, and instabilities in a dust cloud embedded in a plasma

The cloud potential V and dust potential U in dusty clouds are calculated for two limiting theoretical cases between which actual cases are expected to exist. In one case particles are not thermalized within the cloud, and in the other the plasma is thermalized in the cloud interior to form a Maxwellian plasma with densities given by Boltzmann relations as functions of the local cloud potential. The results show that the values of V and U are strongly dependent on the character of the internal plasma and that, most of the time during which the internal plasma retains its non-Maxwellian character, the creation of double layers and the occurrence of transitions with considerable readjustments of the cloud structure are possible. Such processes should not occur if the internal plasma is thermalized.

Havnes, O.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Satellite remote sensing and cloud modeling of St. Anthony, Minnesota storm clouds and dew point depression

Rawinsonde data and geosynchronous satellite imagery were used to investigate the life cycles of St. Anthony, Minnesota's severe convective storms. It is found that the fully developed storm clouds, with overshooting cloud tops penetrating above the tropopause, collapsed about three minutes before the touchdown of the tornadoes. Results indicate that the probability of producing an outbreak of tornadoes causing greater damage increases when there are higher values of potential energy storage per unit area for overshooting cloud tops penetrating the tropopause. It is also found that there is less chance for clouds with a lower moisture content to be outgrown as a storm cloud than clouds with a higher moisture content.

Hung, R. J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Spectral absorption of marine stratocumulus clouds derived from in situ cloud radiation measurements

A multiwavelength scanning radiometer was used to measure the angular distribution of scattered radiation deep within a cloud layer at discrete wavelengths between 0.5 and 2.3 microns. The relative angular distribution of the intensity field at each wavelength is used to determine the similarity parameter, and hence single scattering albedo, of the cloud at that wavelength using the diffusion domain method. In addition to the spectral similarity parameter, the analysis provides a good estimate of the optical thickness of the cloud beneath the aircraft. In addition to the radiation measurements, microphysical and thermodynamic measurements were obtained from which the expected similarity parameter spectrum was calculated using accepted values of the refractive index of liquid water and the transmission function of water vapor. An analysis is presented for the results obtained for a 50 km section of clean marine stratocumulus clouds on 10 July 1987. These observations were obtained off the coast of California from the University of Washington Convair C-131A aircraft as part of the First ISCCP Regional Experiment (FIRE). A comparison of the experimentally-derived similarity parameter spectrum with that expected theoretically from the cloud droplet size distribution measured simultaneously from the aircraft is presented. The measurements and theory are in very close agreement for this case of clean maritime clouds.

King, Michael D.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Measurements of the light-absorbing material inside cloud droplets and its effect on cloud albedo

Most of the measurements of light-absorbing aerosol particles made previously have been in non-cloudy air and therefore provide no insight into aerosol effects on cloud properties. Here, researchers describe an experiment designed to measure light absorption exclusively due to substances inside cloud droplets, compare the results to related light absorption measurements, and evaluate possible effects on the albedo of clouds. The results of this study validate those of Twomey and Cocks and show that the measured levels of light-absorbing material are negligible for the radiative properties of realistic clouds. For the measured clouds, which appear to have been moderately polluted, the amount of elemental carbon (EC) present was insufficient to affect albedo. Much higher contaminant levels or much larger droplets than those measured would be necessary to significantly alter the radiative properties. The effect of the concentrations of EC actually measured on the albedo of snow, however, would be much more pronounced since, in contrast to clouds, snowpacks are usually optically semi-infinite and have large particle sizes.

Twohy, C. H.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Electrical emissions of airplanes flying in electrified clouds and their effect on airplane measurements of cloud electric fields

The signature of the cloud electric field components deduced from measurements made with electric field meters carried on airplane penetrating electrified clouds is often complex, especially when the airplane experiences strong electrical charging. However, simple electric field variations were obtained for penetrations involving severe charging of the airplane on flights over KSC on 19 Aug. 1989. During these episodes of severe electrical charging, the airplane typically became negatively charged as it approached a region of negative cloud charge and then became positively charged as it receded from the cloud charge. The charge acquired by the airplane within the cloud was so large that the electric fields at the faces of the mills mounted on the fuselage were as large as for an ambient electric field of 60 to 80 kV/m. However, the deduced electric field components perpendicular to the direction of flight, to which these mills respond, were only about 5 to 10 kV/m. The variation of the deduced ambient field component in the direction of flight was antisymmetric about the charge region for these penetrations. Analysis of these results suggest that intense plumes of electric charge were emitted from the airplane and that the electric field associated with these plumes overcame the electric field due to the cloud charge at the tail-mounted field mill. As a consequence, the deduced component of the ambient electric field in the direction of flight was severely distorted. These findings emphasize the need for careful evaluation of airplane electric field measurements and of the need for further work on techniques for improving the measurements.

Jones, James J.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Cloud microstructure as determined by an optical cloud particle spectrometer.

Use of an improved single-particle light-scattering instrument for measurement of cloud microstructure in field studies. Cloud particle size and number information is measured over 12 sizing intervals, in the range from 4 to 85 microns in diameter. The microstructure can be observed in real time and with a spatial resolution not previously reported. The general features of water cloud droplet size and number distributions are consistent with previous direct capture and replication studies. The transition from water to ice phase regions in cumuliform clouds can be inferred from dramatic changes observed in the distribution features. Results are also presented for stratus and cirrus cloud penetrations.

Ryan, R. T.↗